The Ministère des Ressources Animales et Halieutiques (MIRAH) is the official government ministry of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) responsible for the strategic development, regulation, and governance of the nation’s livestock, animal husbandry, aquaculture, and fisheries sectors. Under the leadership of Minister Sidi Tiémoko Touré, MIRAH plays a central role in ensuring food security, public health, and sustainable rural development across the country.
Brief History
MIRAH was established to unify and streamline the government’s oversight of animal and fishery resources, enabling a coordinated approach to agricultural diversification and food independence. Over the past decade, MIRAH has restructured its operations to align with national goals of agro-industrial transformation and rural employment. This includes supporting value chain development, enhancing veterinary health systems, and modernizing aquaculture practices.
Core Mission and Responsibilities
MIRAH’s mandate covers a broad spectrum of responsibilities, including:
- Policy development and implementation related to animal production, health, and fisheries
- Oversight of veterinary services, ensuring national biosecurity and public health compliance
- Capacity-building programs for rural farmers, breeders, and fisherfolk
- Support to agricultural value chains, particularly in dairy, poultry, fisheries, and pig farming
- Promotion of sustainable aquaculture and marine resource management
Key Programs and Offerings
1. Policy Development Initiatives
- PONADEPA: The National Policy for the Development of Livestock, Fisheries and Aquaculture 2014–2020, renewed through 2030, aims to increase animal protein production and reduce imports.
- PONAA: National Aquaculture Development Program aimed at increasing aquaculture’s contribution to GDP and reducing fish imports.
2. Veterinary and Regulatory Services
- Animal health control and disease surveillance (notably Foot and Mouth Disease and Avian Influenza)
- Veterinary certification for local and international trade
- Livestock identification systems (IAL) and movement tracking
3. Research and Training
- Partnerships with institutes like CNRA and FIRCA for animal science research
- Technical training and extension services for breeders and fish farmers
- Regular workshops on animal feed innovation, sustainable breeding, and fish pond management
4. Infrastructure Development
- Construction and modernization of slaughterhouses, dairy collection centers, and fish landing sites
- Establishment of regional laboratories and mobile veterinary units
Specialization and Core Impact Areas
MIRAH’s unique role lies in:
- Driving policy-backed transformation of traditional livestock into semi-industrial operations
- Promoting aquaculture growth through private-public partnerships
- Enabling youth and women participation in agro-livestock value chains
- Ensuring compliance with food safety norms aligned to CODEX and OIE standards
Key Achievements
- Meat production increased by 40% between 2015 and 2022 (MIRAH annual reports)
- Fish production rose to over 100,000 tonnes in 2022, reducing import dependency
- Implementation of the Veterinary Drug Control System, resulting in a 70% decline in counterfeit drug circulation
- Launch of the Digital Livestock Identity Program, enhancing traceability and export compliance
Financial and Economic Impact
- Livestock and fisheries sectors contribute approx. 12% to Côte d’Ivoire’s agricultural GDP
- Over 300,000 direct jobs supported through livestock, aquaculture, and animal product value chains
- Public investments exceeding XOF 100 billion (approx. USD 160 million) allocated to MIRAH-related infrastructure from 2018–2023
Target Stakeholders
- Breeders and Fish Farmers: Through technical support, subsidized inputs, and training
- Agribusiness Investors: Facilitated by enabling policy and access to financing schemes
- Consumers and Trade Partners: Via enhanced food quality control and disease-free certifications
- International Agencies: Collaborative initiatives with FAO, OIE, AU-IBAR, and ECOWAS
Capabilities
- National Lab Network for animal health diagnostics
- Digital management platforms for data reporting and traceability
- Zonal veterinary teams deployed across agro-ecological regions
- Ability to mobilize emergency response teams for animal disease outbreaks
Certifications and Regulatory Frameworks
- Aligns with international bodies including OIE, FAO, and CODEX Alimentarius
- Enforces animal welfare, antibiotic usage, and import-export certification protocols
- National legislative framework based on Loi n° 2016-413 regulating animal health and resource use
Public Outreach and Communication
- Active public education campaigns on zoonotic disease prevention, food hygiene, and safe fish consumption
- Information portals and media collaborations to disseminate livestock market data
Major Collaborations
- Partnership with World Bank and African Development Bank on livestock modernization
- EU-funded projects on fish stock management and aquaculture enhancement
- Regional knowledge exchanges under ECOWAS Agricultural Policy (ECOWAP) framework
MIRAH continues to be a pillar in Côte d’Ivoire’s pursuit of agricultural resilience, protein security, and rural prosperity. Through science-driven governance, sustainable resource use, and policy innovation, the ministry is setting the foundation for inclusive growth in the animal and fisheries sector.
